The introduction of a nearly $400,000 bond ordinance to fund renovations at the Hopewell Valley Senior Center was recently approved by the Pennington Borough Council.
During its Sept. 4 meeting, the governing body unanimously approved the bond ordinance’s introduction.
According to the proposed ordinance, a bond of $373,059 will be issued to fund the renovations. Along with a $19,635 down payment, the total amount will be $392,694. Officials expect to pay back the bond over the next 10 years.
A separate $136,347 reimbursement grant from Mercer County, and any in-kind donations, Lawver said, “will be used to reduce the amount that is drawn against the bond or will pay down the bond.”
Money from the Mercer County grant has already been used to repave the senior center parking lot, Lawver said.
The renovations will include new roofs, floors, kitchen appliances, bathroom facilities, lighting, windows, doors and exterior siding.
Lawver added that the repairs to the senior center were crucial for safety reasons.
“The siding is falling off, the roof is leaking, the kitchen is hazardous,” he said, “We had to go and disconnect the burner off the stove because it was stuck and always on.”
Talks of renovating the senior center started back in 2017, and the council aims to bring the building up to a standard so it can be a “safe and welcoming” place for senior citizens again, Lawver said.
The ordinance will be open for public hearing and possible adoption during the Pennington Borough council meeting on Oct. 1 in Borough Hall.